Monday Musings – 10/23: The Cardinals stink but at least ASU & UofA have hope…

I’m scrapping the Four Downs format for this week as there’s just TOO much randomness to discuss in the world of sports. It’s a Quick Hitters-type of column…but I’ll call it Monday Musings.

Remember, if this column isn’t enough of me, check out The Daily Blender, weekdays from 1-3pm on 1580AM, 99.3FM, online at 1580thefanatic.com, or via the 1580 The Fanatic app!

-What an astonishingly pathetic effort by the Cardinals on Sunday…but…I’ve got good news for all of you Arizona Cardinals’ fans. After the 33-0 loss in London to the Rams, it’s apparent that your team will be bad enough to finish among the top-10 worst records in the league. Worse record = higher draft pick = better chance to select a franchise QB.

-Cardinals fans: start learning the names Sam Darnold (USC), Josh Rosen (UCLA), Josh Allen (Wyoming), and Lamar Jackson (Louisville).

-After suffering a broken arm against LA, I’d be shocked if this wasn’t Carson Palmer’s swan song. Either way, sad to see him go out this way.

-What the hell was this guy thinking? The first part may be true…but Carson Palmer in the Hall-of-Fame? With what, ONE playoff win to his credit? Stupidity at its finest.

Calling it now. And sad to type this:
Carson Palmer has played his last down of football. #cardinals #seeyouinthehof

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 22, 2017

-To say that I was impressed with ASU’s performance at Utah was an understatement. The offense moved the ball at will and the Sun Devils’ defense dominated against a fairly decent Utah offense. The score, 30-10, was much closer than the game itself.

-Survive and advance. That’s exactly what UofA did in Berkeley on Saturday…45-44 in double overtime as Cal missed the game-winning two point conversion on the final play. I thought the officiating in the game was borderline horrendous but Wildcats QB Khalil Tate was unstoppable throughout. To say he’s been a revelation in the last three games is an understatement,

-For those of you who remember the last Cal-Arizona finish in 2014 (they didn’t play the last two seasons), it’s safe to say these two teams put on the most exciting games against one another. Get ready Tucson in 2018!

-UofA is 5-2 and ASU is 4-3…not even the most diehard of fans on both sides could’ve expected a season like this. Going into the year I was down on both teams…there was no way either would be bowl eligible? This goes to show all of us the unpredictability of sports, especially college football.

-Think about this for a second: both Arizona teams – Pac-12 South contenders. My predicted national champion, Florida State, not likely to make a bowl game. Weird season to say the least.

-And no, Rich Rodriguez and Todd Graham are no longer on the hot seat. They might be candidates for extensions at this point surprisingly enough.

-In the NFL, the Chicago Bears won a game in which their QB, Mitchell Trubisky, attempted 7 passes. Who do they think they are, 2016 UofA (vs. ASU)?

-The Miami Dolphins are easily the worst and most pathetic 4-2 team in NFL history.

-The Atlanta Falcons have only scored 7 points in their last 90 minutes of play against the Dolphins and Patriots. Guess it’s safe to assume that former University of Washington and USC head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t the right fit as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator?

-Meanwhile the Buffalo Bills are a surprising 4-2 and without a doubt can be a playoff contender if they can continue to win tight game after tight game.

-Tennessee could only manage 4 field goals against easily the worst team in the league, Cleveland? Sorry fantasy owners who started Marcus Mariota, DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry, and other Titans players. That game was the prototypical definition of U-G-L-Y.

-As a Packers fan, THIS:

#Packers lose, 26-17. If this is what life without Aaron Rodgers is going to look like, it’s going to be a long two months.

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) October 22, 2017

-Stat of the week courtesy of my curiosity:
Odd weeks (1,3,5,7): Jaguars 140, Opponents 23
Even weeks (2,4,6): Opponents 87, Jaguars 53
For those keeping score, they have a bye in Week 8.

-While this is true, it’s also not a good way to endear yourself to your teammates:

T.Y. Hilton following the #Colts 27-0 loss: “It is the offensive line, they need to block.”

— Charlie Clifford (@cliffWISH8) October 22, 2017

-Three teams shut out (AZ, IND, DEN) in Week 7 + three others who didn’t score a TD (CAR, CLE, TEN). And the NFL wonders why their TV ratings are declining. Not a banner week of games played for the league.

-Three touchdowns, on national TV, against a previously dominant Michigan defense = guaranteed Heisman Trophy frontrunner…well done Penn State RB Saquon Barkley!

-Notre Dame 49, USC 14. How did this happen, Trojans? Makes me wonder if USC checks out again the next two weeks vs. ASU and UofA.

-TCU 43, Kansas 0. Rushing yards…TCU: 191, Kansas: minus-31. How are the Jayhawks consistently this horrendous?

-Oklahoma State 13, Texas 10 in OT. It’s a good thing 99.9% of sports fans don’t play college fantasy football (the projected over/under was 65).

-As much as it pains me to say this, Dodgers in 6. Not sure if and how Houston can win on the road.

-The Suns are 0-3, Eric Bledsoe wants out, and on Sunday afternoon, coach Earl Watson was fired. Probably a good thing for all involved. I suggested shipping Bledsoe out this summer but GM Ryan McDonough unfortunately doesn’t read this column. Hope you took the under 29.5 wins in Vegas! 19.5 may be too high.

I Dont wanna be here

— Eric Bledsoe (@EBled2) October 22, 2017

-In addition to their winless start, the Suns have a combined point differential of minus-92 and the Coyotes are 0-7-1 with a goal differential of minus-16. Throw in the Cardinals and all that’s left to say for AZ pro sports fans is…Spring Training can’t get here fast enough.

 

To read previous entries of my blog, click here. Also make sure to follow me on Twitter @eacohen83.